Sports
Sunderland Overcome Oxford Challenge
Sunderland overcame the spirited challenge of Championship strugglers Oxford United to move into the FA Cup fifth round with victory at the Kassam Stadium.
Habib Diarra’s first-half penalty settled a tie the Premier League side deserved to win, but also one in which Matt Bloomfield’s side emerged with credit.
Oxford, struggling one place off the bottom of the Championship, made eight changes but acquitted themselves well, particularly in the first half.
New South Korean signing Jin-Woo Jeon was lively early on while another new acquisition Jamie Donley, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, had a powerful shot punched away by Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs.
The underdogs were furious when referee Thomas Kirk pointed to the spot after Christ Makosso challenged Dennis Cirkin after 32 minutes, Diarra completing the formalities.